Base for electrical outlet and related method

ABSTRACT

A base for an electrical outlet. The electrical outlet includes a mounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinal axis for receiving a mounting screw having a mounting screw head to mount the electrical outlet to a box. The mounting screw head has a mounting screw head diameter. The electrical outlet also has at least one socket face for receiving an electrical plug. The base includes a substantially planar backing member, the backing member including at least one aperture for receiving the at least one socket face. The base also includes a keyhole slot disposed in the backing member and having first and second keyhole slot apertures. The first keyhole slot aperture is larger than the mounting screw head diameter. The second keyhole slot aperture is smaller than the mounting screw head diameter and is disposed in the backing member at a location on the longitudinal axis and aligned with the mounting screw aperture when the base is mounted to the electrical outlet using the mounting screw. Related methods also are disclosed.

This application is a continuation of patent application by Shotey, etal. entitled “BASE FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND RELATED METHOD”, Ser. No.09/965,936, filed Sep. 27, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,381 which isalso a continuation of patent application by Shotey, et al. entitled“BASE FOR ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND RELATED METHOD”, Ser. No. 09/456,089,filed Dec. 6, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,420,653 the disclosures of whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrical outlets and receptacles, andmore specifically, to covers for such outlets and receptacles, andrelated components and methods.

2. Description of the Related Art

Electrical outlets traditionally have included an assembly of componentsthat include the electrical receptacle, a box into which the receptacleis mounted, and a cover plate. The receptacle typically includes one ormore sockets into which the blades of a plug, such as the plug from anelectrical appliance, would be inserted. The receptacle typically ismounted to the box by a pair of box mounting screws, with one located atthe top of the box and one located at the bottom. Traditional coverplates typically cover the outlet, except for the socket face or faces,at which the socket faces of the receptacle contact the plug. Suchtraditional cover plates commonly are mounted to the receptacle using acover plate mounting screw located substantially in the center of thereceptacle and cover plate.

In some instances, it is desirable to have a base positioned around thereceptacle, or specifically around the socket face or faces, forexample, to which a cover or cover plate may be attached. In recentyears, for example, it has become desirable, particularly for exterioror outdoor applications, to have a receptacle cover that covers theentire receptacle, including the socket faces, so that water and otherliquids cannot contact the interface at which the plug contacts thesocket face or faces when the outlet is not in use. Some such covershave cord conduits through the cover so they provide weatherproofingeven when the outlet is in use. An example is provided in U.S. Pat. No.5,763,831, assigned to TayMac Corporation, of Phoenix, Ariz. Such covershave come to be known generally as “weatherproof” covers, notnecessarily in that they entirely prevent weather or moisture fromreaching the outlet, but in that they provide some level of protectionfrom weather, liquids and/or moisture. Examples of such cover designsare provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,831. Such weatherproof coverstypically include a base, usually attached to the box, to which thecover component is attached.

When installing or replacing such covers, and more particularly wheninstalling or replacing the base component, a significant amount of timecan be required. The base typically is attached to the box with a pairof box mounting screws, as described above for traditional outlets.These box mounting screws must be unscrewed and completely removed if anexisting base is to be removed. The new base then is positioned, and boxmounting screws are screwed in to secure the base to the box. It is alsousually necessary during this process to pause at the appropriate timewhile installing the box screws to properly align the base. In a typicalcircumstance, one often replaces a number of such bases and outletcovers, rather than only a single base and cover. When erecting newbuildings, for example, it often is necessary to install large numbersof such bases and cover plates. The amount of time involved ininstalling, or replacing, such bases and covers therefore can add uprather quickly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a base foran electrical outlet, and related method, wherein the base can beinstalled or replaced relatively quickly and/or inexpensively.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a base for anelectrical outlet, and related method, wherein the base can be alignedrelatively quickly and/or inexpensively.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description, which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appendedclaims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purposes ofthe invention as embodied and broadly described in this document, a baseis provided for an electrical outlet. The electrical outlet includes amounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinal axis for receivinga mounting screw having a mounting screw head to mount the electricaloutlet to a box. The mounting screw head has a mounting screw headdiameter. The electrical outlet also has at least one socket face forreceiving an electrical plug.

The base according to one aspect of the invention comprises asubstantially planar backing member. The backing member includes atleast one aperture for receiving the at least one socket face, and akeyhole slot disposed in the backing member. The keyhole slot has firstand second keyhole slot apertures. The first keyhole slot aperture islarger than the mounting screw head diameter. The second keyhole slotaperture is smaller than the mounting screw head diameter and isdisposed in the backing member at a location on the longitudinal axisand aligned with the mounting screw aperture when the base is mounted tothe electrical outlet using the mounting screw.

Optionally, the second keyhole slot aperture may include a bevel. In apresently preferred embodiment, the first and second keyhole slotapertures are disposed along a keyhole line substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis. In another presently preferred embodiment, thefirst and second keyhole slot apertures are disposed along a keyholeline substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis.

In another presently preferred embodiment according to this aspect ofthe invention, the base further includes a base mounting aperturedisposed in the backing member and having a diameter larger than themounting screw head diameter. The base mounting aperture is disposed inthe backing member at a location on the longitudinal axis. The baseaccording to this aspect of the invention further includes a retainingdevice removably disposed on the base mounting aperture. The retainingdevice has an inside diameter smaller than the mounting screw headdiameter.

In accordance with another embodiment, the base further includes achannel extending from the at least one socket face receiving aperture.The channel is narrower than the mounting screw head diameter.Preferably but optionally, the first and second keyhole apertures andthe channel lie along a keyhole line.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a base is providedfor an electrical outlet. The electrical outlet includes first andsecond mounting screw apertures disposed along a longitudinal axis forreceiving respective first and second mounting screws each having amounting screw head to mount the electrical outlet to a box. Themounting screw heads have a mounting screw head diameter. The electricaloutlet also has at least one socket face for receiving an electricalplug.

The base according to this aspect of the invention comprises asubstantially planar backing member. The backing member includes atleast one aperture for receiving the at least one socket face. The basefurther includes first and second keyhole slots disposed in the backingmember. Each of the first and second keyhole slots has first and secondkeyhole slot apertures. The first keyhole slot aperture is larger thanthe mounting screw head diameter. The second keyhole slot aperture issmaller than the mounting screw head diameter and is disposed in thebacking member at a location on the longitudinal axis. The secondkeyhole slot aperture of the first keyhole slot is aligned with thefirst mounting screw aperture and the second keyhole slot aperture ofthe second keyhole slot is aligned with the second mounting screwaperture when the base is mounted to the electrical outlet using thefirst and second mounting screws.

Preferably but optionally, at least one of the second keyhole slotaperture of the first keyhole slot and the second keyhole slot apertureof the second keyhole slot includes a bevel. In a preferred embodiment,the first and second keyhole slot apertures of the first and secondkeyhole slots are disposed along respective first and second keyholelines substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In anotherembodiment, the first and second keyhole slot apertures of the first andsecond keyhole slots are disposed along a keyhole line substantiallycollinear with the longitudinal axis.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a base is providedfor an electrical outlet. The electrical outlet includes a mountingscrew aperture disposed along a longitudinal axis for receiving amounting screw having a mounting screw head to mount the electricaloutlet to a box. The mounting screw head has a mounting screw headdiameter. The electrical outlet also has at least one socket face forreceiving an electrical plug.

The base according to this aspect of the invention comprises asubstantially planar backing member. The backing member includes atleast one aperture for receiving the at least one socket face. The basealso includes a base mounting aperture disposed in the backing member ata location aligned with the mounting screw aperture when the base ismounted to the electrical outlet using the mounting screw. The basemounting aperture is larger than the mounting screw head diameter. Thebase also includes a retaining device removably disposed on the basemounting aperture. The retaining device has a diameter smaller than themounting screw head diameter. Preferably but optionally, the retainingdevice includes a beveled surface. The base mounting aperture mayinclude a beveled surface and the retaining device may include a beveledsurface for mating with the base mounting aperture beveled surface.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for mounting a base to an electrical outlet. The electricaloutlet includes a mounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinalaxis for receiving a mounting screw having a mounting screw head tomount the electrical outlet to a box. The mounting screw head has amounting screw head diameter. The electrical outlet also has at leastone socket face for receiving an electrical plug.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is providedfor mounting a base to an electrical outlet. The electrical outletincludes a mounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinal axisfor receiving a mounting screw having a mounting screw head to mount theelectrical outlet to a box. The mounting screw head has a mounting screwhead diameter. The electrical outlet also has at least one socket facefor receiving an electrical plug.

The method according to this aspect of the invention includes a firststep of providing the base with a substantially planar backing member.The backing member includes at least one aperture for receiving the atleast one socket face, and a keyhole slot disposed in the backing memberand having first and second keyhole slot apertures. The first keyholeslot aperture is larger than the mounting screw head diameter. Thesecond keyhole slot aperture is smaller than the mounting screw headdiameter and is disposed in the backing member at a location on thelongitudinal axis and aligned with the mounting screw aperture when thebase is mounted to the electrical outlet using the mounting screw.

The method includes a second step of partially inserting the mountingscrew into the mounting screw aperture through the second keyhole slotaperture, a third step of testing the alignment of the base with theoutlet so that the first keyhole slot aperture is aligned with themounting screw aperture, and a fourth step of tightening the mountingscrew to secure the mounting screw head onto the base at the secondkeyhole slot aperture.

Optionally but preferably, the first step includes providing the secondkeyhole slot aperture with a bevel, and the fourth step includestightening the mounting screw so that the mounting screw head resides inthe bevel. Also as an option, the first step may include disposing thefirst and second keyhole slot apertures along a keyhole linesubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first stepalso may include disposing the first and second keyhole slot aperturesalong a keyhole line substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis.

In a version of this method, the first step includes disposing a secondmounting aperture in the backing member. The second mounting aperturehas a diameter larger than the mounting screw head diameter, and thesecond mounting aperture is disposed in the backing member at a locationon the longitudinal axis. In this version of the method, the fourth stepincludes using a retaining device on the second mounting aperture. Thesecond retaining device has a diameter smaller than the mounting screwhead diameter.

In another version of the method, the first step includes providing achannel in the base. The channel extends from the at least one socketface receiving aperture. The channel is narrower than the mounting screwhead diameter. Optionally but preferably, the first step includesdisposing the first and second keyhole slot apertures and the channelalong a keyhole line.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is providedfor mounting a base to an electrical outlet. The electrical outletincludes first and second mounting screw apertures disposed along alongitudinal axis for receiving respective first and second mountingscrews each having a mounting screw head to mount the electrical outletto a box. The mounting screw heads having a mounting screw headdiameter. The electrical outlet also has at least one socket face forreceiving an electrical plug.

The method according to this aspect of the invention comprises a firststep of providing a substantially planar backing member. The backingmember includes at least one aperture for receiving the at least onesocket face. It also includes first and second keyhole slots disposed inthe backing member. Each of the first and second keyhole slots has firstand second keyhole slot apertures. The first keyhole slot aperture islarger than the mounting screw head diameter. The second keyhole slotaperture is smaller than the mounting screw head aperture, and isdisposed in the backing member at a location on the longitudinal axis.The second keyhole slot aperture of the first keyhole slot is alignedwith the first mounting screw aperture, and the second keyhole slotaperture of the second keyhole slot is aligned with the second mountingscrew aperture when the base is mounted to the electrical outlet usingthe first and second mounting screw.

The method includes a second step of partially inserting the first andsecond mounting screws into the respective first and second mountingscrew apertures through the respective first and second keyholeapertures. It also includes a third step of testing the alignment of thebase with the outlet so that the first keyhole slot apertures of thefirst and second keyhole slots are aligned with the respective first andsecond mounting screw apertures. It further includes a fourth step oftightening the first and second mounting screws to secure the mountingscrews heads of the first and second mounting screws onto the base atthe second keyhole slot apertures of the respective first and secondkeyhole slots.

In preferred versions of the methods, the first step includes providingat least one of the second keyhole slot aperture of the first keyholeslot and the second keyhole slot aperture of the second keyhole slotwith a bevel. The first step may include disposing the first and secondkeyhole slot apertures of the first and second keyhole slots alongrespective first and second keyhole lines substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis. Similarly, the first step may include disposingthe first and second keyhole slot apertures of the first and secondkeyhole slots along a keyhole line substantially collinear with thelongitudinal axis.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for mounting a base to an electrical outlet. The electricaloutlet includes a mounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinalaxis for receiving a mounting screw having a mounting screw head tomount the electrical outlet to a box. The mounting screw head has amounting screw head diameter. The electrical outlet also has at leastone socket face for receiving an electrical plug. The method accordingto this aspect of the invention includes a first step of providing asubstantially planar backing member. The backing member includes atleast one aperture for receiving the at least one socket face. It alsoincludes a base mounting aperture disposed in the backing member at alocation aligned with the mounting screw aperture when the base ismounted to the electrical outlet using the mounting screw. The basemounting aperture is larger than the mounting screw head diameter.

The method also includes a second step of partially inserting themounting screw into the electrical outlet and a third step of using adetachable retaining device on the base mounting aperture wherein theretaining device has a diameter smaller than the mounting screw headdiameter, and tightening the mounting screw to secure the mounting screwhead onto the retaining device.

Optionally, the third step may include providing a beveled surface onthe retaining device, and tightening the mounting screw so that themounting screw head seats in the bevel. Also as an option, the firststep may include providing the base mounting aperture with a beveledsurface and providing the retaining device with a beveled surface formating with the base mounting aperture beveled surface, and the thirdstep may include tightening the mounting screw so that the retainingdevice bevel mates with the base mounting aperture bevel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate a presently preferredembodiment(s) and method(s) of the invention and, together with thegeneral description given above and the detailed description of thepreferred embodiment(s) and method(s) given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a front elevational view of an outlet with which basesaccording to the preferred embodiments of the invention as describedherein may be attached, and with which the preferred methods accordingto the invention may be practiced;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a base according to another preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a base according to another preferredembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a base according to another aspect of theinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the base shown in FIG. 4, including a sideview of a retaining device used as a part of the base, and also shows atop or plan view of the retaining device;

FIG. 6 shows a front view of another base according to another preferredembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 shows still another base according to yet another preferredembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND METHODS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments and methods of the invention as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate likeor corresponding parts throughout the drawings. It should be noted,however, that the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to thespecific details, representative devices and methods, and illustrativeexamples shown and described in this section in connection with thepreferred embodiments and methods. The invention according to itsvarious aspects is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed inthe attached claims read in view of this specification, and appropriateequivalents.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a base is provided foran electrical outlet. The electrical outlet includes a mounting screwaperture disposed along a longitudinal axis for receiving a mountingscrew having a mounting screw head to mount the electrical outlet to abox. The mounting screw head has a mounting screw head diameter. Theelectrical outlet also has at least one socket face for receiving anelectrical plug.

To provide an illustrative example, FIG. 1 shows an electrical outlet100. Electrical outlet 100 includes a receptacle 102 that includes apair of socket faces 104 and 106. Each socket face includes bladeapertures 108 and a ground plug aperture 110 for receiving plug bladesand a ground blade from a plug (not shown), such as the plug of ahousehold electrical appliance. Receptacle 102 includes a pair ofmounting screw apertures 112 and 114 disposed along a longitudinal axisL for receiving mounting screws 118 and 120, respectively. Each mountingscrew includes a mounting screw head 122 having a mounting screw headdiameter 124. Tightening of mounting screw 118 into mounting screwaperture 112, and tightening of mounting screw 120 into mounting screwaperture 114 secures receptacle 102 to a box 128. Receptacle 102 alsoincludes a cover plate mounting aperture 128 for receiving a cover platemounting screw (not shown).

The base according to this aspect of the invention includes asubstantially planar backing member. The backing member includes atleast one aperture for receiving the at least one socket face.

A base 200 according to a presently preferred embodiment according tothis aspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 2. Base 200 includes asubstantially planar backing member 202. Base 200 also includes a ridgeor wall 204 at its outer perimeter, which is substantially perpendicularto backing member 202. Two pairs of hinges 206 and 208 are disposed onthe top and side peripheral side walls, respectively, of base 200.Hinges 206 and 208 are adapted to be selectively detached, as generallyshown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,831.

Backing member 202 includes at least one aperture, in this specificinstance, a pair of apertures 210 and 212, for receiving socket faces104 and 106, respectively.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the base includes akeyhole slot disposed in the backing member and having first and secondkeyhole slot apertures. The first keyhole slot aperture is larger thanthe mounting screw head diameter. The second keyhole slot aperture issmaller than the mounting screw head diameter and is disposed in thebacking member at a location on the longitudinal axis and is alignedwith the mounting screw aperture when the base is mounted to theelectrical outlet using the mounting screw.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the base includesfirst and second keyhole slots disposed in the backing member. Each ofthe first and second keyhole slots has first and second keyhole slotapertures. The first keyhole slot aperture is larger than the mountingscrew head diameter. The second keyhole slot aperture is smaller thanthe mounting screw head diameter and is disposed in the backing memberat a location on the longitudinal axis. The second keyhole slot apertureof the first keyhole slot is aligned with the first mounting screwaperture and the second keyhole slot aperture of the second keyhole slotis aligned with the second mounting screw aperture when the base ismounted to the electrical outlet using the first and second mountingscrew.

As implemented in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, backingmember 202 includes two keyhole slots 220 and 222. Keyhole slot 220includes a first keyhole slot aperture 224 and a second keyhole slotaperture 226. Similarly, keyhole slot 222 includes a first keyhole slotaperture 228 and a second keyhole slot aperture 230. The first keyholeslot apertures 226 and 230 include a bevel 232 and 234, respectively.Each bevel extends downwardly and inwardly with respect to the aperture,as one moves into backing member 202. The first keyhole slot aperture224 and 228 of each keyhole slot is larger than mounting screw headdiameter 124. The second keyhole slot aperture 226 and 230 of eachkeyhole slot is smaller than mounting screw head diameter 124. Thesecond keyhole slot aperture 226 and 230 of each keyhole slot isdisposed in backing member 202 at a location on longitudinal axis L. Thesecond keyhole slot aperture 226 of keyhole slot 220 is aligned withfirst mounting screw aperture 112. Second keyhole slot aperture 230 ofkeyhole slot 222 similarly is aligned with mounting screw aperture 114when base 200 is mounted to an electrical outlet, such as outlet 100,using mounting screws 118 and 120, respectively.

From FIG. 2 it can be seen that the first and second keyhole slotapertures 224 and 226 of keyhole slot 220 are disposed along a keyholeline KL1 that is substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis L, andfirst and second keyhole slot apertures 228 and 230 of keyhole slot 222are disposed along a keyhole line KL2 that is also substantiallyperpendicular to longitudinal axis L.

In another presently preferred embodiment, the first and second keyholeapertures are disposed along a keyhole line substantially collinear withthe longitudinal axis. To provide an illustrative example, a base 300similar to base 200 (FIG. 2) is shown in FIG. 3. The components of base300 are for the most part identical to those of base 200, and likereference characters are used to identify like or identical elements orcomponents. In base 300, however, keyhole slots 320 and 322 are alignedalong longitudinal axis L so that, for each of the keyhole slots, a linethrough the center of the first and second keyhole slot apertures liesalong longitudinal axis L.

In another presently preferred embodiment according to this aspect ofthe invention, the base further includes a base mounting aperturedisposed in the backing member and having a diameter larger than themounting screw head diameter. The base mounting aperture is disposed inthe backing member at a location on the longitudinal axis. The baseaccording to this aspect of the invention further includes a retainingdevice removably disposed on the base mounting aperture. The retainingdevice has a diameter smaller than the mounting screw head diameter.

To provide an illustrative example, a base 400 according to thispreferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. Base 400 is identical in mostrespects to 200, and corresponding reference numerals are used toidentify similar or identical components shared by the two versions.Base 400, however, includes a second mounting aperture 450 disposed inbacking member 402. Mounting aperture 450 has a diameter that is largerthan the diameter 124 of mounting screw 120. Mounting aperture 450 isdisposed in backing member 402 at a location on longitudinal axis L thatis aligned with mounting screw aperture 114 (FIG. 1) when base 400 isattached to electrical outlet 100.

Base 400 further includes a retaining device in the form of a slottedwasher 460. Retaining device 460 is a separate component, and isremovably disposed on mounting aperture 450.

In the preferred version of base 400, mounting aperture 450 includes abevel 452. The retaining device 460 similarly includes a bevel 462.These bevels are configured so that, when retaining device 460 ispositioned on mounting aperture 450, bevel 462 contacts and mates withbevel 452.

With reference to FIG. 6, a base 600 is provided which includes two basemounting apertures. More specifically, base 600, which is in otherrespects identical to base 400 and therefore uses correspondingreference numerals, includes two base mounting apertures 650 and 670.Mounting aperture 650 is disposed in backing member 602 so that it isaligned with mounting screw aperture 114 when base 600 is attached toelectrical outlet 100. Similarly base mounting aperture 670 ispositioned in backing member 602 so that it is aligned with mountingscrew aperture 112 when base 600 is attached to electrical outlet 100.Retaining devices 660 and 680 identical to retaining device 460. Basemounting apertures 650 and 670 preferably are identical to base mountingaperture 450. Accordingly, bevels corresponding to bevel 462 and bevel452 are used to mate retaining devices 660 and 680 on base mountingapertures 650 and 670, respectively.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the base furtherincludes a channel extending from the at least one socket receivingaperture. The channel is narrower than the mounting screw head diameter.To illustrate, a base 700 similar to bases 400 and 600 is shown in FIG.7. Like or corresponding parts similarly bear like or correspondingreference numerals. Base 700 includes a base mounting aperture 750 withretaining device 760 as described above, e.g., as shown in FIG. 5. Base700 further includes a channel 790 that extends from socket receivingaperture 710 along longitudinal axis L and toward the top of base 700,i.e., the end to which to hinges 706 are attached. Channel 790 isnarrower than mounting screw head diameter 124. Channel 790 ispositioned so that it extends over mounting screw aperture 112 when base700 is attached to electrical outlet 100. Channel 790 has sufficientwidth so that mounting screw 118 can slidably fit within it, but so thatit will not pass mounting screw head 122. Channel 790 has a length alonglongitudinal axis L sufficiently so that, when mounting screw 118 ispartially tightened into mounting screw aperture 112, and when base 700is placed over electrical outlets so that mounting screw 118 is fittedwithin channel 790, base 700 may be moved along longitudinal axis L to apoint at which mounting screw 120, partially engaged in mounting screwaperture 114, is aligned with base mounting aperture 750.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for mounting a base to an electrical outlet. The electricaloutlet includes a mounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinalaxis for receiving a mounting screw having a mounting screw head tomount the electrical outlet to a box. The mounting screw head has amounting screw head diameter. The electrical outlet also has at leastone socket face for receiving an electrical plug.

In accordance with a related aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for mounting a base to an electrical outlet, as describedabove, but wherein the electrical outlet includes first and secondmounting screw apertures disposed along a longitudinal axis forreceiving respective first and second mounting screws, each having amounting screw head to mount the electrical outlet to a box. Bothmounting screw heads have a mounting screw head diameter.

To provide an illustrative example, the method according to theseaspects of the invention will be described with reference to electricaloutlet 100 of FIG. 1, and bases 200, 300 and 400 according to thepreviously described preferred embodiments of the invention. It shouldbe noted, however, that this is merely for illustrative purposes and notnecessarily by way of limitation. The method may be implemented usingbases other than the specific ones shown and described herein.

The method according to these aspects of the invention comprisesproviding the base with a substantially planar backing member. Thebacking member includes at least one aperture for receiving the at leastone socket face.

As implemented in the preferred methods, this step preferably comprisesproviding backing members 202, 302 and 402. Each of these backingmembers includes two socket face receiving apertures, i.e., apertures210 and 212 for base 200, apertures 310 and 312 for base 300, andapertures 410 and 412 for base 400.

This step of the method also includes disposing a keyhole slot in thebacking member and having first and second apertures. The first keyholeaperture is larger than the mounting screw diameter. The second apertureis smaller than the mounting screw aperture and is disposed in thebacking member at a location on the longitudinal axis and correspondingto an aligned with the mounting screw aperture when the base is mountedto the electrical outlet using the mounting screw.

In accordance with the related method, the first step comprisesproviding a substantially planar backing member. The backing memberincludes at least one aperture for receiving the at least one socketface. It also includes first and second keyhole slots disposed in thebacking member. Each of the first and second keyhole slots has first andsecond keyhole slot apertures. The first keyhole slot aperture is largerthan the mounting screw head diameter. The second keyhole slot apertureis smaller than the mounting screw head aperture, and is disposed in thebacking member at a location on the longitudinal axis. The secondkeyhole slot aperture of the first keyhole slot is aligned with thefirst mounting screw aperture, and the second keyhole slot aperture ofthe second keyhole slot is aligned with the second mounting screwaperture when the base is mounted to the electrical outlet using thefirst and second mounting screw.

As implemented in the preferred versions of the method, this first stepincludes, for base 200, providing keyhole slot apertures 220 and/or 222;for base 300, providing keyhole slot aperture 3 s 320 and/or 322; andfor base 400, providing keyhole slot 420. Optionally, the second keyholeaperture may include a bevel, in which instance the method includestightening the mounting screw so that the mounting screw head resides inthe bevel.

The first and second keyhole slot apertures of either or both keyholeslots may be disposed along a keyhole line substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis. In other versions of the method, the first andsecond keyhole apertures may be disposed along a keyhole liensubstantially collinear with the longitudinal axis.

The method also includes a second step of partially inserting themounting screw into the electrical outlet, positioning the base on theoutlet so that the first aperture of the keyhole slot passes over themounting screw head, moving the base so that the mounting screw passesthrough the second keyhole aperture, and tightening the mounting screwto secure the mounting screw head onto the base at the second keyholeaperture.

In the related version of this method, this second step includespartially inserting the first and second mounting screws into therespective first and second mounting screw apertures through therespective first and second keyhole apertures. It also includes a thirdstep of testing the alignment of the base with the outlet so that thefirst keyhole slot apertures of the first and second keyhole slots arealigned with the respective first and second mounting screw apertures.It further includes a fourth step of tightening the first and secondmounting screws to secure the mounting screws heads of the first andsecond mounting screws onto the base at the second keyhole slotapertures of the respective first and second keyhole slots.

As implemented in the preferred versions of the method, this second stepincludes inserting and partially tightening mounting screw 118 throughfirst keyhole slot aperture 224 of keyhole slot 220 for base 200,through first keyhole slot aperture 324 of keyhole slot 320 for base300, through first keyhole slot aperture 424 of keyhole slot 400, and ineach instance, into mounting screw aperture 112. This second step alsopreferably includes inserting and partially tightening mounting screw120 through first keyhole slot aperture 228 of keyhole slot 222 for base200, through first keyhole slot aperture 328 of keyhole slot 322 forbase 300, and in each instance, into mounting screw aperture 114. Thebases then are aligned relative to the outlet, held in place, and themounting screws fully tightened to secure each base to the outlet whilemaintaining the alignment.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a method isprovided for mounting a base to an electrical outlet. The electricaloutlet includes a mounting screw aperture disposed along a longitudinalaxis for receiving a mounting screw having a mounting screw head tomount the electrical outlet to a box. The mounting screw head has amounting screw head diameter. The electrical outlet also has at leastone socket face for receiving an electrical plug.

The method according to this aspect of the invention includes a firststep of providing a substantially planar backing member. The backingmember includes at least one aperture for receiving the at least onesocket face. It also includes a base mounting aperture disposed in thebacking member at a location aligned with the mounting screw aperturewhen the base is mounted to the electrical outlet using the mountingscrew. The base mounting aperture is larger than the mounting screw headdiameter. It should be noted that more than one such base aperture maybeprovided.

To provide an illustrative example, the method according to theseaspects of the invention will be described with reference to electricaloutlet 100 of FIG. 1 and bases 400, 600 and 700 according to thepreviously described preferred embodiments of the invention. It shouldbe noted, however, that this is merely for illustrative purposes and notnecessarily by way of limitation. The method may be implemented usingbases other than the specific ones shown and described herein.

As implemented in the presently preferred versions of this method, thisfirst step includes providing a base mounting aperture 450 in base 400,base mounting apertures 650 and/or 670 in base 600, and base mountingaperture 750 in base 700, as described above.

The method also includes a second step of partially inserting themounting screw into the electrical outlet and a third step of using adetachable retaining device on the base mounting aperture wherein theretaining device has a diameter smaller than the mounting screw headdiameter, and tightening the mounting screw to secure the mounting screwhead onto the retaining device.

As implemented in the preferred methods, this second step comprisesinserting and partially tightening a mounting screw, such as mountingscrews 118 and 120, through the respective base mounting apertures andinto the corresponding mounting screw apertures. The third steppreferably includes using a retaining device such as retaining device460, 660 and 760 (e.g., FIG. 5), on the respective base mountingapertures. As noted above, the retaining device has a diameter smallerthan the mounting screw head diameter. The third step also preferablyincludes tightening the mounting screw or screws to secure the mountingscrew head onto the retaining device or devices, after or in conjunctionwith appropriately aligning the base with respect to the outlet.

Optionally, the third step may include providing a beveled surface onthe retaining device, and tightening the mounting screw so that themounting screw head seats in the bevel. Also as an option, the firststep may include providing the base mounting aperture with a beveledsurface and providing the retaining device with a beveled surface formating with the base mounting aperture beveled surface, and the thirdstep may include tightening the mounting screw so that the retainingdevice bevel mates with the base mounting aperture bevel. Anillustrative example would involve the use of beveled surfaces 452 and462, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. For example, the longitudinal axis considered withrespect to the positioning of the various apertures need not necessarilylie at the center of the outlet and base, nor necessarily need it beperpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the box. Therefore, theinvention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details,representative devices and methods, and illustrative examples shown anddescribed. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A one piece base for an electrical outlet having at least one socket face, the base comprising: a front surface and a back surface opposing the front surface, the front and back surfaces having a first edge having a first hinge member thereon, and a second edge, adjacent to the first edge, the second edge having a second hinge member thereon; a backing member including at least one socket face aperture therein; and a keyhole slot disposed in the backing member; wherein the at least one socket face aperture is aligned with the at least one socket face and the keyhole slot is aligned with a mounting screw aperture of the electrical outlet when the one piece base is mounted to the electrical outlet using a mounting screw; and wherein the one piece base is a single molded piece.
 2. The base of claim 1, wherein the keyhole slot comprises a first keyhole slot aligned with a first mounting screw aperture when the base is mounted to the electrical outlet, the base further comprising a second keyhole slot, wherein the second keyhole slot is aligned with a second mounting screw aperture of the electrical outlet when the base is mounted to the electrical outlet.
 3. The base of claim 1, the keyhole slot comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the second keyhole slot aperture includes a bevel.
 4. The base of claim 1, the keyhole slot comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the first and second keyhole slot apertures are disposed along a keyhole line substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 5. The base of claim 1, the keyhole slot comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the first and second keyhole slot apertures are disposed along a keyhole line substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis.
 6. The base of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first edge and the second edge having at least a pair of hinges.
 7. The base of claim 1, the at least two adjacent edges each having at least a pair of hinges.
 8. A one piece cover for an electrical outlet having at least one socket face and at least one mounting screw aperture, the cover comprising: a front surface and a back surface opposing the front surface, the front and back surfaces having a first edge having a first hinge member thereon, and a second edge, adjacent to die first edge, the second edge having a second hinge member thereon; at least one socket face aperture through a surface of the one piece electrical outlet cover; at least one keyhole slot aperture through the surface of the one piece electrical outlet cover; wherein the at least one socket face aperture is aligned with the at least one socket face and the keyhole slot aperture is aligned with the at least one mounting screw aperture of the electrical outlet when the cover is mounted to the electrical outlet using a mounting screw; and wherein the one piece cover is a single molded piece.
 9. The cover of claim 8, the keyhole slot aperture comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the second keyhole slot aperture includes a bevel.
 10. The cover of claim 8, the keyhole slot aperture comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the first and second keyhole slot apertures of the first and second keyhole slow are disposed along respective first and second keyhole lines substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cover.
 11. The cover of claim 8, the keyhole slot aperture comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the first and second keyhole slot apertures of the first and second keyhole slow are disposed along a keyhole line substantially collinear with the longitudinal axis.
 12. The cover of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first edge and the second edge having at least a pair of hinges.
 13. The cover of claim 8, wherein the at least two adjacent edges each having at least a pair of hinges.
 14. A method of mounting a one piece base to an electrical outlet, the method comprising: partially inserting a mounting screw through a mounting screw aperture of the electrical outlet; providing the base as one molded piece having at least a first edge and an edge adjacent to the first edge with respective first and second hinge members on the first and second edges; positioning the one piece base in relation to the electrical outlet so that a keyhole slot aperture on the base is aligned with a head of the mounting screw; passing the mounting screw head through a first portion of the keyhole slot aperture sized to allow passage of the mounting screw head; aligning the one piece base with the electrical outlet so that a socket face of the electrical outlet aligns with a socket face aperture in the base so that a socket face of the mounting screw extends through a second portion of the keyhole slot aperture sized to prevent passage of the mounting screw head; tightening the mounting screw to secure the mounting screw head onto the one piece base; and leaving the keyhole slot aperture and the mounting screw head accessible for selective tightening, loosening, and adjustment of the one piece base.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein tightening the mounting screw further comprises tightening the mounting screw head into a bevel associated with the keyhole slot aperture.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein aligning the base with the electrical outlet comprises sliding the base horizontally with respect to the electrical outlet.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein aligning the base with the electrical outlet comprises sliding the base vertically with respect to the electrical outlet.
 18. A one piece base for an electrical outlet having at least one socket face and at least one mounting screw aperture, the one piece base comprising: a front surface and a back surface opposing the front surface, the front and back surfaces having a first edge having a first hinge member thereon, and a second edge, adjacent to the first edge, the second edge having a second hinge member thereon; at least one socket face aperture through the front and back surfaces; at least one keyhole slot through the front and back surfaces; wherein the one piece base is configured such that when the one piece base is installed on the electrical outlet, the at least one socket face aperture surrounds the at least one socket face, the at least one keyhole slot is aligned with the mounting screw aperture, and the at least one keyhole slot is positioned to allow for adjustment of a mounting screw after installation of the one piece base on the electrical outlet.
 19. The one piece base of claim 18, the keyhole slot comprising a first keyhole slot aperture and a second keyhole slot aperture, wherein the second keyhole slot aperture includes a bevel.
 20. The base of claim 19, wherein the bevel is located at an end of the second keyhole aperture spaced from the first keyhole slot aperture.
 21. The base of claim 18, wherein at least one of the two adjacent edges has at least a pair of hinge members.
 22. The base of claim 18, the at least two adjacent edges each having at least a pair of hinge members. 